System and method for information management using handwritten identifiers

ABSTRACT

The method discloses: scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier; comparing the identifier to a set of prerecorded identifiers; adding the identifier to the set of prerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than a predetermined similarity with any identifier within the set of prerecorded identifiers; linking the identifier to a set of information; scanning the original copy a second time; matching the second scan of the original copy with the first scan of the original copy; and retrieving the set of information in response to the matching. The system discloses: a computer system; a handwritten identifier; an imaging device for scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier; an image processing and matching module for comparing the identifier to a set of prerecorded identifiers; a linking module for linking the identifier to a set of information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods formachine identification, and more particularly for information managementusing handwritten identifiers.

2. Discussion of Background Art

Information management is an ongoing requirement for both businesses andconsumers in a modern electronically connected society. Networkedprocessing and storage resources provide significantly greaterinformation management flexibility and timeliness to users than has beenpossible in the past. To access such information various shorthand codesand devices are typically used.

For instance, if a user is sitting at a computer, the user need onlytype in a user code and user password to access a wealth of information.In another instance, the user can scan a bar code or RFID tag to accessinformation or perform a service. In yet another more recent example,individuals are increasingly directing others toward a variety ofweb-based on-line information pointed to by URLs.

Each of these information management tools however requires a rigidstructure and fixed format in order to operate. In the first instance, acomputer terminal must be available, in the second instance the bar codeor RFID tag must conform to a specific set of interface requirements inorder to be properly scanned, and URLs are often quite long making themdifficult to type or write and often have errors if copied onto a pieceof paper handed to another.

Such limitations are not particularly great when the user has access toa well-defined and well-equipped setting such as a computer lab, amanufacturing facility, or a copier room, where quality controlprocedures can ensure that the codes and tags correspond to theirrequired format and structure.

However, as society becomes more mobile without ready access to suchresources, the rigid format and structural limitations of theseinformation management tools can become quite burdensome. For example, amobile salesperson, visiting a customer at their place of business andattempting to direct the customer to a specific product on thesalesperson's web-site, might have to write down a particularly long andcomplex URL on their business card. Not only might there not be enoughroom on the card, but the URL would most likely be difficult for thecustomer to read or type in themselves without introducing errors.

Alternatively, the mobile salesperson could place a bar code stickerassociated with the URL on the business card, however, then thesalespersons would need to carry around a stack of bar code stickers foreach and every product sold and then would need to tediously flipthrough them to find the right sticker. Similarly, e-mail addresses canbe long and complex and are often forgotten and so perhaps thesalesperson could not readily e-mail the customer the necessary productinformation.

In response to the concerns discussed above, what is needed is a systemand method for machine identification that overcomes the problems of theprior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for information managementusing handwritten identifiers. The method of the present inventionincludes the elements of: scanning an original copy of a handwrittenidentifier in response to a first user command; comparing the identifierto a set of prerecorded identifiers; adding the identifier to the set ofprerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than apredetermined similarity with any identifier within the set ofprerecorded identifiers; linking the identifier to a set of information;scanning the original copy a second time in response to a second usercommand; matching the second scan of the original copy with the firstscan of the original copy; and retrieving the set of information inresponse to the matching.

Within the system of the present invention there is: a computer system;a handwritten identifier; an imaging device for scanning an originalcopy of a handwritten identifier in response to a first user command; animage processing and matching module for comparing the identifier to aset of prerecorded identifiers, and for adding the identifier to the setof prerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than apredetermined similarity with any identifier within the set ofprerecorded identifiers; a linking module for linking the identifier toa set of information; wherein the image processing and matching modulealso scans the original copy a second time in response to a second usercommand, and matches the second scan of the original copy with the firstscan of the original copy; and wherein the computer system retrieves theset of information in response to the matching.

These and other aspects of the invention will be recognized by thoseskilled in the art upon review of the detailed description, drawings,and claims set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a dataflow diagram of one embodiment of a system forinformation management using handwritten identifiers;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram of one embodiment of a set of handwrittenidentifiers;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a root method for informationmanagement using handwritten identifiers; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for informationmanagement using handwritten identifiers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a system and method for creating andusing handwritten identifiers, which enable users to manage informationin a very flexible and convenient manner. The present invention isparticularly useful in unstructured, mobile, and resource limitedsettings. Using handwritten identifiers, users can point to informationwithout a need to carry around stickers or tags, or tediously write outlong and complex URLs or e-mail addresses. Instead the user could justplace a handwritten identifier on a business card, an object, a documentand the like in a very easy and straightforward manner. This handwrittenidentifier would then point to a set of information resources orfunctional services, which could then be readily accessed.

It is important to note that the present invention should not beconfused with certain “handwriting recognition” prior art. In such priorart, a computer stores a predetermined number of fixed identifiers (e.g.the 26 letters of the alphabet). Users then attempt to carefully mimicthe input associated with one of those fixed identifiers using free-handmovements (e.g. a user attempts to hand write the letter “A” using astylus on a handheld computer). Such a handheld computer then attemptsto identify one of the predetermined number of fixed identifiers basedon prior inputs (e.g. multiple prior input recordings or an abstracthandwriting model) already associated with that identifier (e.g. theASCII code for the letter “A”).

In contrast, the present invention allows the user to record new randomidentifiers. Thus instead of the number of identifiers remaining fixed,as in “handwriting recognition” art, the present invention has no limitto the number of identifiers. Also, whereas “handwriting recognition”art attempts to “interpret” the many handwritten variations in a user'sattempts to create the letter “A”, in the present invention there isonly a single handwritten mark associated with one identifier (nohandwritten variation thereafter, but there may be perhaps some limitedvariation due to lighting and imaging). Thus later when the identifieris re-imaged, the present invention does not attempt to “interpret” theidentifier, rather the present invention merely attempts to “match” theidentifier to one of a set of prerecorded identifiers. Finally, theuser's handwritten identifier can be linked to a URL, a bar code, orother information as discussed below.

Identifier Creation and Linking

FIG. 1 is a dataflow diagram 100 of one embodiment of a computer system101 for information management using handwritten identifiers. To begin,a user (not shown) creates an original copy of a handwritten identifier102. The user is preferably a human being, but in an alternateembodiment could be a machine. The handwritten identifier 102 can be anymark or pattern, including: a random scribble, a carefully drawn shape,a pictorial shape, a smudge, a paint or ink splash, a surfaceirregularity such as a dent, a scratch, random rough edges from tornpiece of paper, a sticker, or any set of markings in any variety ofcolors. “Original copy” is herein defined as the original marks made bythe user (e.g. a users original pen marks on a piece of paper).

The handwritten identifier 102 is preferably created by the usercontemporaneously as needed and using some sort of instrument orwhatever is readily available. The instrument could be a writingimplement (e.g. a pen or a pencil), a sharp instrument, the user's ownfinger, or any other authoring tool. In alternate embodiments, thehandwritten identifier 102 can downloaded from a database of pre-storedmarks, which could have originally been made by a person. Preferably thehandwritten identifier 102 is delimited in some way, whether by lines orsufficient white space so as to be more evident to others where the markis. Delimited includes including a triangle, circle, or some otherboundary within the identifier 102. The identifier 102 can also be ahand-delimited existing mark, herein defined as a drawing a circle orsome other boundary around some existing mark, such as words or lettersalready printed on a page.

In an alternate embodiment, the handwritten identifier 102 could bereplaced with a human-directed identifier. The human-directed identifieris herein defined within the present invention to include not only thehandwritten identifier 102, but also to include any sort ofidentification which is made under human-direction and human movements,including any human body movements such as a hand movement, a footmovement, an eye movement, as well as various human-directed movements,such as causing one's pet animal to put a paw print identifier on abusiness card, and when a user uses a handheld computer stylus toscribble a mark on a display which is then printed out as theidentifier. In general the user is creating some sort of unique image(i.e. piece of art) for use as the identifier, unlike most writing whosegoal is to transcribe certain known information (e.g. writing orsketching or painting).

Such human-directed movements however do not preferably include humanoperation of a computer program in which the program, and not the human,directly generates a predefined or mathematically based set of marks,other than those used to translate a human generated mark, such as ascribble, as discussed above.

Next, the user places the identifier 102 on a physical object 104. Thephysical object 104 can be anything including a paper document, abusiness card, a shipping box, a CD, or a circuit board. Typicallycreation and placement of the handwritten identifier 102 will besimultaneous, such as when the user takes a pen and scribbles a mark ona document or surface of the physical object 104. In other instances theidentifier 102 may first be created or printed on a separate label orscrap of paper before being affixed to the object 104, such as when apen can not readily write on the object due to it's surface properties.

An imaging device 106 records (i.e. scans) an image of the original copyof the handwritten identifier 102. The imaging device 106 is preferablya scanner incorporated into a device 107 of some sort, such as ahandheld computer, a cell-phone, or a camera. The image of thehandwritten identifier 102 is herein defined to include the handwrittenidentifier 102 and a set of background information around the identifier102. The background information is a set of extra markings (i.e. animage outside and preferably not a part of the identifier 102), whichcan vary based on when, how, and under what conditions the handwrittenidentifier 102 was scanned. For instance, if the user first images thehandwritten identifier 102 and then places the handwritten identifier102 on the object 104, the image will not include an image of a portionof the object 104. However, if the user directly writes the handwrittenidentifier 102 on to the object 104, the image will include an image ofa portion of the object 104. Some examples of background informationinclude: words on a page which the handwritten identifier 102 wasscribbled on to; surface features of the object 104; variations in asize of the image (e.g. was a large area scanned in order to capture thehandwritten identifier 102 or was just a small area about the size ofthe handwritten identifier 102 itself scanned); lighting or anglevariations depending upon how the handwritten identifier 102 wasscanned; whether the handwritten identifier 102 was centered within theimage; and so on.

A set of prerecorded identifiers (not shown) are stored in a database112 connected to a network 108. The network 108 is likely to be awireless network but could also be a wired network. In some embodimentsof the present invention, the prerecorded identifiers are partitionedinto predefined groups of identifiers, such as a user's privateidentifier group, a family identifier group, a community identifiergroup, an organizational identifier group, a company identifier group, ahome identifier group, a work identifier group, and so on. Groups caneven be defined by the identifier's 102 delimiter. Such partitioningenables database 112 queries to be more distributed and decentralized,thereby yielding better performance than for a centralized service.Partitioning also cuts down on an amount of processing required andreduces a chance of unintended similar identifiers (i.e. if there wereonly a single worldwide database of identifiers, it would eventually bedifficult for a user to generate a sufficiently unique identifier).Efficient storage of the identifiers may require that a set of databases(not shown) be hosted by the network 108, each storing different groupsof pre-recorded identifiers.

If the prerecorded identifiers are grouped, a group selection module 114preferably selects one or more of the predefined groups. Group selectionnarrows down a number of prerecorded identifiers which are compared tothe handwritten identifier 102. Selection is preferably done in responseto a user command.

The imaging device 106 transmits the image over the network 108 to animage processing and matching module 110. In some embodiments of thepresent invention where network 108 bandwidth is limited, the imagingdevice 106 computes a small “signature” of the image using, for example,either a Fourier transform, wavelets, or a histogram of space-fillingbubbles, which is then sent over the network 108 to the image processingand matching module 110. Also, since images of the handwrittenidentifier 102 from the imaging device 106 may be rotated or taken fromslightly different distances, the imaging device 106 preferably eitherselects image features for the signature which are scale and rotationinvariant, or normalizes the image in scale and rotation, such as by thecommon method of determining the major axis, before generating andsending the signature over the network 108.

The image processing and matching module 110 uses segmentation todistinguish the set of background information within the scanned imagefrom the handwritten identifier 102. Segmentation is a known imageprocessing term which means to determine what different regions of animage are (e.g. segmenting an image of a scanned page into lines, wordsand finally characters). Segmentation enables the image processing andmatching module 110 to focus on analyzing and possibly recognizing thehandwritten identifier 102 with as little clutter from the backgroundinformation as possible. Segmentation is preferred since, as discussedabove, one same handwritten identifier can have multiple distinct imagesdepending upon on how, when, and under what conditions the imagingdevice 106 scanned the same identifier. Segmentation is performed usingstandard pattern recognition techniques. Preferably the handwrittenidentifiers 102 have a distinctive form, such as having a roughlygeometric shape, or look, such as being written or created in a specificcolor. Such a distinctive form more readily enables the image processingand matching module 110 to distinguish the handwritten identifier 102from the set of background information, especially if the backgroundinformation is fairly detailed and complex.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram 200 of one embodiment of a set ofhandwritten identifiers 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210. While the set ofhandwritten identifiers 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210 are all in a roughlytriangular shape, which aids the image processing and matching module's110 segmentation algorithm, they are also unique. For instance:handwritten identifier 202 includes a spiral type shape; handwrittenidentifier 204 includes a wavy type shape; while handwritten identifiers206 through 210 include more complex scribbles.

Next, the image processing and matching module 110 compares the originalcopy of the handwritten identifier 102, or the signature of thehandwritten identifier 102, against the set of prerecorded identifiers(not shown) stored in the database 112 or against a subset of theprerecorded identifiers stored within the selected groups. The imageprocessing and matching module 110 then identifies a set of potentiallymatching prerecorded identifiers stored in the database 112. In somecases, the image processing and matching module 110 requests additionalimage data from the imaging device 106 if needed to complete thecomparison of the handwritten identifier 102 with the set of potentiallymatching prerecorded handwritten identifiers.

The comparison is performed to ensure that the handwritten identifier102 the user has just created does not share more than a predeterminedamount of similarity with the prerecorded handwritten identifiers. As isdiscussed below, too much similarity would defeat an ability of thehandwritten identifier 102 to be uniquely linked to a predeterminedinformation resource. The comparison is performed using standard imageprocessing, matching, and pattern recognition techniques, such as thoseused by law enforcement for fingerprint searching and matching.

If the image processing and matching module 110 determines that thedatabase 112 already contains one or more prerecorded identifiers whichshares more than the predetermined amount of similarity with thehandwritten identifier 102, the image processing and matching module 110sends a request over the network 108 for a new handwritten identifier.The image processing and matching module 110 then receives the newhandwritten identifier from the user. The user can either generate anentirely new handwritten identifier, or enhance (e.g. adds some randommarks to) the original handwritten identifier 102.

The image processing and matching module 110 again performs the Compare,Identify, Request, Send, and Receive steps until the identifier sharesless than the predetermined amount of similarity with the prerecordedidentifiers. Thus, the image processing and matching module 110 keepsrequesting new handwritten identifiers until the user generates ahandwritten identifier which has not already been stored in the database112.

While shown as separate, the imaging device 106 and the image processingand matching module 110 can be combined within a single device, such asa personal digital assistant with sufficient processing power andmemory. A blend is also possible with some image processing and matchingmodule 110 functions available with the imaging device 106 and otherfunctions available over the network 108. The blend may also depend uponavailable network bandwidth, such that a pre-processed or compressedversion of the image is transmitted over the network 108.

If the image processing and matching module 110 determines that theidentifier 102 shares less than the predetermined amount of similaritywith the prerecorded identifiers (i.e. the handwritten identifier 102has been approved), a linking module 116 sends a request over thenetwork 108 that the user identify a set of information to be linkedwithin the database 112 to (i.e. associated with) the handwrittenidentifier 102.

The set of information linked to the identifier 102 can have a varietyof forms, including: a multi-digit GUID, a bar code, a URL, telephonenumbers, computer files, and so on. The set of information may also havean associated “action type” (i.e. display, execute, etc.) which causes aset of client software to effect a set of actions in response to theidentifier 102. The set of actions may include: displaying or presentinga set of information (e.g. a web page, a URL, an online database, an MP3file, an email address, a text string, or a bar code SKU number) to theuser; sending a message (e.g. e-mail or page) to someone; unlocking adoor; and recordinga location of the object, granting the user a set ofcreate, edit or delete permissions in a database; incrementing apopularity or voting counter; adding to a Web log (blog) associated withthe handwritten identifier 102 (e.g. to log maintenance performed on aportion of an aircraft), or change some information (e.g. updating a URLto fix a broken link or change the associated Web page); booking aconference room; causing a program to run on a client computer; causingroom settings (e.g. air conditioning, lighting, etc.) to assume apersonal set of preferences; and so on.

In some embodiments, the set of actions effected depend upon a set ofclient software. For instance, a web browser client in response toinformation within a URL may either take an action to displayinformation associated with a HTML-type URL or download and execute aprogram associated with an .exe-type URL.

In other embodiments, the set of actions depend upon how the identifier102 is scanned. For instance, if a user scans the identifier 102 using afax machine, the associated action may be to fax or email a document tothe user, whereas, if the user scans the identifier 102 using a handheldcomputer, the associated action may be to save a URL to the user'shandheld computer which the user can then later access to download acopy of the document.

The linking module 116 links the handwritten identifier 102 to the setof information identified by the user. Then the identifier 102 is storedin the database 112 and becomes part of the set of prerecordedidentifiers.

Identifier Re-Imaging, Information Display, and Effecting Actions

Up until now a system and method for creating, comparing, approving, andlinking the handwritten identifier 102 has been discussed. Next, asystem and method for re-imaging (i.e. scanning the original copy of theidentifier a second time) and accessing the set of information linked tothe handwritten identifier 102 is discussed.

First, the device 107 prompts the user to select between either anidentifier creation mode or a re-imaging mode. If the identifiercreation mode is selected, the system 101 permits the user to associatea new handwritten identifier with a set of information, as discussedabove with respect to the Identifier Creation and Linking.

If the identifier re-imaging mode is selected, the system 101 re-imagesthe identifier 102 using the imaging device 106. Re-imaging is hereindefined as capturing for a second time an image of the original copy ofthe handwritten identifier which previously had been scanned a firsttime, stored in the database 112, and linked to a set of information.Note that the identifier 102 may also be re-imaged using other imagingdevices as well.

It is important to note that the original copy of the handwrittenidentifier 102 is being re-imaged, and that a new copy is not being madeto look similar to the original copy. In this way the present inventiondistinguishes itself from various “handwriting recognition” techniqueswherein a user generates a new copy of some sort of symbol which the“handwriting recognition” system then attempts to “interpret” asequivalent to a previously defined character or word.

The image processing and matching module 110 compares the handwrittenidentifier 102 against the set of prerecorded identifiers stored in adatabase 112. If the image processing and matching module 110 determinesthat the database 112 already contains one or more prerecordedidentifiers which share more than the predetermined amount of similaritywith the identifier 102, the image processing and matching module 110either requests that the imaging device 106 transmit more information tohelp identify the handwritten identifier 102 or presents the user anopportunity to select which prerecorded handwritten identifier bestcorresponds to the re-imaged handwritten identifier 102.

The image processing and matching module 110 then matches the re-imageof the original copy with the original copy stored within the set ofprerecorded identifiers, and the computer system 101 retrieves the setof information associated with the handwritten identifier 102.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a root method 300 forinformation management using handwritten identifiers. The method 300begins in step 302 where the imaging device 106 scans an original copyof a handwritten identifier in response to a first user command. In step304, the image processing and matching module 110 compares theidentifier to a set of prerecorded identifiers. In step 306, the imageprocessing and matching module 110 adds the identifier to the set ofprerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than apredetermined similarity with any identifier within the set ofprerecorded identifiers. In step 308, the linking module 116 links theidentifier to a set of information. In step 310, the imaging device 106scans the original copy a second time in response to a second usercommand. Then in step 312, the image processing and matching module 110matches the second scan of the original copy with the first scan of theoriginal copy. In step 314, the computer system 101 retrieves the set ofinformation in response to the matching.

The root method 300 is discussed in further detail with respect to FIG.4.

Identifier Creation and Linking

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method 400 for informationmanagement using handwritten identifiers. To begin, in step 402, a usercreates an original copy of a handwritten identifier 102. In step 404,the user places the identifier 102 on a physical object 104. In step406, an imaging device 106 records an image of the handwrittenidentifier 102. In step 408, if the prerecorded identifiers are grouped,the group selection module 114 selects one or more of the predefinedgroups. In step 410, the imaging device 106 transmits the image or asignature of the image over a network 108 to the image processing andmatching module 110.

In step 412, the image processing and matching module 110 usessegmentation to distinguish the set of background information from thescanned image of the handwritten identifier 102. Next, in step 414, theimage processing and matching module 110 compares the handwrittenidentifier 102, or the signature of the handwritten identifier 102,against the set of prerecorded identifiers stored in the database 112 oragainst a subset of the prerecorded identifiers stored within theselected groups.

In step 416, the image processing and matching module 110 identifies aset of potentially matching prerecorded identifiers stored in thedatabase 112. In step 418, in some embodiments of the present invention,the image processing and matching module 110 requests additional imagedata from the imaging device 106 if needed to complete the comparison ofthe handwritten identifier 102 with the set of potentially matchingprerecorded handwritten identifiers.

In step 420, if the image processing and matching module 110 determinesthat the database 112 already contains one or more prerecordedidentifiers which shares more than the predetermined amount ofsimilarity with the handwritten identifier 102, the image processing andmatching module 110 sends a request over the network 108 for a newhandwritten identifier. In step 422, the image processing and matchingmodule 110 receives either the new handwritten identifier or an enhancedversion of the original handwritten identifier 102 from the user. Instep 424, the image processing and matching module 110 again performsthe Compare, Identify, Request, Send, and Receive steps (i.e. steps 414through 422) until the identifier shares less than the predeterminedamount of similarity with the prerecorded identifiers.

In step 426, if the image processing and matching module 110 determinesthat the identifier 102 shares less than the predetermined amount ofsimilarity with the prerecorded identifiers, a linking module 116 sendsa request over the network 108 that the user identify a set ofinformation to be linked to the handwritten identifier 102. In step 428,the linking module 116 links the handwritten identifier 102 to the setof information identified by the user. In step 430, the identifier 102is stored in the database 112 and becomes part of the set of prerecordedidentifiers.

Identifier Re-Imaging, Information Display, and Effecting Actions

First, in step 432, the device 107 prompts the user to select betweeneither an identifier creation mode or a re-imaging mode. In step 434, ifthe identifier creation mode is selected, the system 101 permits theuser to associate a new handwritten identifier with a set ofinformation, as discussed above with respect to the Identifier Creationand Linking section. In step 436, if the identifier re-imaging mode isselected, the system 101 re-images the original copy of the identifier102 using the imaging device 106.

In step 438, the image processing and matching module 110 compares there-image of the original copy of the identifier 102 against the set ofprerecorded identifiers stored in the database 112. In step 440, if theimage processing and matching module 110 determines that the database112 already contains one or more prerecorded identifiers which sharemore than the predetermined amount of similarity with the identifier102, the image processing and matching module 110 either requests thatthe imaging device 106 transmit more information to help identify thehandwritten identifier 102 or presents the user an opportunity to selectwhich prerecorded handwritten identifier best corresponds to there-imaged handwritten identifier 102.

In step 442, the image processing and matching module 110 matches there-image of the original copy with the original copy stored within theset of prerecorded identifiers. Then, in step 444, the computer system101 retrieves the set of information associated with the handwrittenidentifier 102.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, those skilled in the art will recognize that variousmodifications may be made. Variations upon and modifications to theseembodiments are provided by the present invention, which is limited onlyby the following claims.

1. A method for information management, comprising: scanning an originalcopy of a handwritten identifier in response to a first user command;comparing the identifier to a set of prerecorded identifiers; adding theidentifier to the set of prerecorded identifiers, if the identifiershares less than a predetermined similarity with any identifier withinthe set of prerecorded identifiers; linking the identifier to a set ofinformation; scanning the original copy a second time in response to asecond user command; matching the second scan of the original copy withthe first scan of the original copy; and retrieving the set ofinformation in response to the matching.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein: scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier includesscanning the original copy using a first imaging device; and scanningthe original copy a second time includes scanning the original copyusing a second imaging device.
 3. The method of claim 1: wherein theidentifier includes a hand-delimited existing mark.
 4. The method ofclaim 1: wherein the identifier is a human created surface irregularity.5. The method of claim 1: wherein the identifier is a hand drawnscribble.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: requesting a newidentifier, if the identifier shares more than a predeterminedsimilarity with a prerecorded identifier.
 7. The method of claim 1:wherein scanning includes imaging the identifier and a set of backgroundinformation; and further comprising distinguishing the set of backgroundinformation from the identifier.
 8. The method of claim 1: furthercomprising, partitioning the set of prerecorded identifiers into apredefined set of groups; selecting one of the predefined groups; andwherein comparing includes comparing the identifier only againstprerecorded identifiers within the selected group.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising, computing a signature of the identifier;and requesting a new identifier if the signature shares more than apredetermined similarity with a prerecorded identifier.
 10. The methodof claim 9: wherein computing includes selecting a set of identifierfeatures for the signature which are scale and rotation invariant. 11.The method of claim 9: wherein computing includes normalizing theidentifier in scale and rotation.
 12. The method of claim 1: whereinlinking includes linking the identifier to a GUID.
 13. The method ofclaim 1: wherein linking includes linking the identifier to a SKU. 14.The method of claim 1: wherein linking includes linking the identifierto a URL.
 15. The method of claim 1: wherein linking includesassociating the set of information with a set of action types.
 16. Themethod of claim 1: further comprising, displaying information inresponse to the set of information.
 17. The method of claim 1: furthercomprising, effecting an action in response to the set of information.18. The method of claim 1, further comprising: placing the identifier ona physical object.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:placing the identifier on paper.
 20. A method for informationmanagement, comprising: partitioning a set of prerecorded identifiersinto a predefined set of groups; selecting one of the predefined groups;scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier in response to afirst user command; comparing the identifier only against prerecordedidentifiers within the selected group; adding the identifier to the setof prerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than apredetermined similarity with any identifier within the set ofprerecorded identifiers; requesting a new identifier, if the identifiershares more than the predetermined similarity with a prerecordedidentifier in the selected group; linking the identifier to a set ofinformation; scanning the original copy a second time in response to asecond user command; matching the second scan of the original copy withthe first scan of the original copy; retrieving the set of informationin response to the matching; and effecting actions associated with theset of information.
 21. A computer-usable medium embodying computerprogram code for commanding a computer to effect information management,comprising: scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier inresponse to a first user command; comparing the identifier to a set ofprerecorded identifiers; adding the identifier to the set of prerecordedidentifiers, if the identifier shares less than a predeterminedsimilarity with any identifier within the set of prerecordedidentifiers; linking the identifier to a set of information; scanningthe original copy a second time in response to a second user command;matching the second scan of the original copy with the first scan of theoriginal copy; and retrieving the set of information in response to thematching.
 22. A system for information management comprising a: meansfor scanning an original copy of a handwritten identifier in response toa first user command; means for comparing the identifier to a set ofprerecorded identifiers; means for adding the identifier to the set ofprerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than apredetermined similarity with any identifier within the set ofprerecorded identifiers; means for linking the identifier to a set ofinformation; means for scanning the original copy a second time inresponse to a second user command; means for matching the second scan ofthe original copy with the first scan of the original copy; and meansfor retrieving the set of information in response to the matching.
 23. Asystem for information management, comprising: a computer system; ahandwritten identifier; an imaging device for scanning an original copyof a handwritten identifier in response to a first user command; animage processing and matching module for comparing the identifier to aset of prerecorded identifiers, and adding the identifier to the set ofprerecorded identifiers, if the identifier shares less than apredetermined similarity with any identifier within the set ofprerecorded identifiers; a linking module for linking the identifier toa set of information; wherein the image processing and matching modulealso scans the original copy a second time in response to a second usercommand, and matches the second scan of the original copy with the firstscan of the original copy; and wherein the computer system retrieves theset of information in response to the matching.